Anker’s new UV printer can create fake wood and paint textures on various materials

Although overmuch larger than an inkjet printer, Anker’s UV Printer E1 is overmuch smaller than commercial-grade UV printers. | Image: Anker

Falling determination betwixt a 3D printer and the inkjet you usage to churn retired colour photos, Anker’s eufyMake marque has announced what it’s calling the “industry’s archetypal 3D-texture UV Printer designed for idiosyncratic use.” The UV Printer E1 is person successful size to a 3D printer than an inkjet, but is designed to nutrient 2D images connected assorted surfaces – specified arsenic insubstantial oregon solid – with a subtle raised texture that tin simulate the consciousness and quality of materials similar wood oregon adjacent crocodile skin.

These types of printers are typically utilized successful ample printing and manufacturing facilities who person the fund and the country to run what’s traditionally bulky and costly hardware. For example, respective years agone astatine CES, Casio demonstrated a $50,000 printer offering akin functionality. eufyMake is launching its UV Printer E1 aboriginal this period done a Kickstarter crowdfunding run with a modular bundle priced astatine $1,899. But those consenting to reserve 1 present with a $50 deposit tin get the E1 discounted to $1,499.

As the sanction implies, UV printers usage a specially formulated ink that cures and dries instantly erstwhile exposed to ultraviolet airy aft it’s been applied to a surface. The process typically produces prints that are much durable than different printing techniques, and it tin beryllium applied to aggregate surfaces, not conscionable paper. To make 3D textures, a thicker ink is laid down and cured first, successful a process akin to 3D printing. eufyMake says the E1 tin make textures arsenic heavy arsenic 5 millimeters deep.

Supported materials see wood, metal, glass, leather, and acrylic which tin beryllium placed connected a moving furniture measuring astir 13 inches by 16.5 inches successful size. But utilizing an optional rotation unit, the E1 tin besides straight people connected rounded objects similar mugs and h2o bottles, improving the accuracy of applications by eliminating the request to manually transportation designs.

For further easiness of use, the E1 includes a self-cleaning strategy to forestall clogs from forming that could enactment the instrumentality retired of use. It besides uses a operation of cameras and lasers to measurement and find the determination of objects being straight printed on, specified arsenic smartphone cases.

The E1’s pricing volition assistance marque UV printing accessible to a wider assortment of makers and smaller companies, but eufyMake hasn’t revealed the pricing of replacement ink cartridges, oregon however agelong they’ll last. The E1 uses a acceptable of six UV inks including CMYK positive achromatic and an ink that creates a glossy finish. They’re included with the UV printer arsenic portion of a bundle that eufyMake says is worthy $299, but details connected however galore projects tin beryllium printed earlier cartridges tally adust person not been revealed. 

“We privation the E1 to displacement the UV printing acquisition distant from mill walls, and into homes, studios, tiny businesses and creation markets astir the world,” says eufy wide manager Frank Zhu. But depending connected the terms of those UV inks, the UV Printer E1 whitethorn extremity up lone being affordable for those capable to merchantability their creations.